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Joel Embiid Shouldn't Be Celtics' Primary Concern Entering Game 6

ByEfstathios Savvidis|
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Apr 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) moves the ball against Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (4) in the second half during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Apr 28, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) moves the ball against Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (4) in the second half during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images

With a chance to advance to the conference semifinals for the fifth consecutive season, the Boston Celtics laid a goose egg against the Philadelphia 76ers, losing 113-97. Once again, they couldn’t hold on to a double-digit lead they built in the second half, scoring an abysmal 11 points in the fourth quarter. 

Boston’s centers had absolutely no answer for Joel Embiid, who dropped 33 points to extend the series. Containing Embiid in Game 6 should be a focus, but the Celtics are better off letting him do all the heavy lifting and limiting the 76ers’ other top options. 

Celtics Should Put Attention on 76ers’ Other Key Players

Since his return from appendicitis surgery, Embiid has shifted the rhythm of Philadelphia’s offense. His presence as the 76ers’ focal point has slowed things down. With Embiid’s heavy usage of post-ups and wasting the shot clock with isolation, Philadelphia is attempting 79 shots per game. 

Meanwhile, with guards Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe leading the charge in the first three games, the 76ers played at a much faster pace, attempting 89 shots. In this stretch, the offense was more distributed, which made it challenging for Boston to contain.

Since Embiid’s return, Maxey, Edgecombe, and Paul George have all seen their shot attempts dip, while Embiid shoulders the load on offense, averaging 22 shots a game. 

While Philadelphia won Game 5 playing this way, the result was more due to Boston’s fourth-quarter collapse. Their poor shooting and stagnant offense played a critical role, while Embiid did much of his damage late in the second half, scoring 18 points. 

Celtics Must Prioritize Disrupting Philly's Perimeter Scorers

That’s why Boston is better off shifting their defensive focus. In Game 5, Embiid had 26 points on 21 shots, and yet they still lost. That’s in large part because Maxey was phased out, attempting just 14 shots. 

Even the looks he got weren’t necessarily the greatest attempts either, as they clogged up the driving lanes and forced him to throw up prayers. The Celtics didn’t do so in Game 5, which allowed Maxey to be more efficient in the arc, hitting 7/8 shots. 

This is exactly how they must approach Game 6. Along with Maxey, Edgecombe, and George, the 76ers have some solid perimeter threats in Kelly Oubre Jr. and Quentin Grimes, who hit four vital 3-pointers on Tuesday. 

With how their secondary creators played in Game 5, the Celtics can’t afford to contain Embiid solely. Blitzing or even overhelping would spell disaster, as Embiid’s a capable passer and the 76ers have several reliable shooters he can dish it to. 

Embiid can win games on his own, but it’s contributions from the supporting cast that help secure a playoff series. That is where the Celtics still have the edge.

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